Appearance protective case and appearance protective case assembly

Abstract

An appearance protective case and an appearance protective case assembly are provided in which damage of a colored or marked pattern due to exposure is prevented, and in which the structure of a formed member having the colored or marked pattern printed thereon is made simple so that the formed member is easily incorporated into the appearance protective case. The appearance protective case includes a sheet-like formed member formed by draw-processing a sheet-like member treated with coloring or marking and a transparent or translucent cover case, and is assembled by fitting the sheet-like formed member into the cover case such that the sheet-like formed member extends in close contact with the inner surface of the cover case.

1. A card-like computer peripheral device, comprising:
 a frame; 
 upper and lower covers disposed on upper and lower sides of the frame; 
 a circuit board disposed within the frame between the upper and lower covers; 
 an input/output connector provided at an end of the circuit board; 
 a sheet member including a draw-processed sheet member treated with coloring or marking; and 
 a transparent or translucent cover case; wherein 
 the sheet member includes an upper portion and three side portions; 
 each of the upper portion and the three side portions of the sheet member is connected to one another by rounded joint portions; 
 the sheet member is fitted into the cover case such that the sheet member extends in close contact with an inner surface of the cover case; 
 the sheet member is a three-dimensional member; 
 each of the three side portions extends substantially perpendicularly downward from the upper portion; 
 the rounded joint portions connect the three side portions to the upper portion: 
 and the circuit board is sandwiched and held by the cover case and the frame such that the sheet member and the frame lie in contact with opposing surfaces of the circuit board. 
 
   
   
     2. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member includes a decorative film comprising resin. 
   
   
     3. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 2 , wherein the decorative film comprises a transparent film having a rear surface treated with coloring or marking. 
   
   
     4. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 2 , wherein the decorative film has a front surface treated with coloring or marking. 
   
   
     5. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member comprises paper. 
   
   
     6. The card-like computer peripheral device accord ing to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member comprises a metal sheet. 
   
   
     7. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover case and the sheet member are firmly fixed to each other. 
   
   
     8. A card-like computer peripheral device, comprising:
 a frame having a groove formed along at least one side thereof; 
 upper and lower covers disposed on upper and lower sides of the frame; 
 a circuit board disposed within the frame between the upper and lower covers; 
 an input/output connector provided at an end of the circuit board; 
 a sheet member including a draw-processed sheet member treated with coloring or marking; and 
 a transparent or translucent cover case; wherein 
 the sheet member includes an upper portion and three side portions; 
 each of the upper portion and the three side portions of the sheet member is connected to one another by rounded joint portions; and 
 at least one of the three side portions of the sheet member is inserted into the groove of the frame; 
 the transparent or translucent cover case and the frame are firmly fixed to each other so as to sandwich and hold a portion of the sheet member, including said at least one side; 
 the sheet member is a three-dimensional member; 
 each the three side portions extends substantially perpendicularly downward from the upper portion; 
 the rounded joint portions connect the three side portions to the upper portion: 
 and the circuit board is sandwiched and held by the cover case and the frame such that the sheet member and the frame lie in contact with opposing surfaces of the circuit board. 
 
   
   
     9. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 8 , wherein the sheet member comprises at least one flange at the front thereof such that the flange is sandwiched and held by the cover case and the frame. 
   
   
     10. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 8 , wherein the upper cover is firmly fixed to the cover case and the frame, and the lower cover is firmly fixed to the frame such that at least a colored or marked pattern printed on the sheet member is exposed. 
   
   
     11. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is made of one of polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, methacrylic resin, cellulosic resin, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacetal, polyamide, and fluorocarbon resin. 
   
   
     12. The card-like computer peripheral device according to  claim 8 , wherein steps are formed in the groove of the frame.